How To Repair A Gas Stove

How do you repair a gas stove when it breaks down in the middle of a dish you are whipping up? Or even before you've set that pot atop the burner? Can you determine beforehand if your gas stove has a problem and if that problem is within your (or will require) expert attention?

Compared to electric stoves, most problems with gas stoves are simple, mechanical and may be resolved with a few troubleshooting measures that you can do yourself. To repair a gas stove in your kitchen, you need only keen observation and common sense. Do-it-yourself, self-help, usually works, unless of course if at any time you smell gas, suspect a gas leak, and cannot identify where the leak is coming from. This is the time to get expert help.

On your own, here are a few tips to repair a gas stove:

What do you do when you have clogged burners? Your gas stove's burners have portholes around them through which gas is released and gets to the spark made by the igniter to light a controlled flame. Sometimes you will wonder why your burners are not lighting up even after several tries on your dial. Check out the burner portholes; they may be clogged so that gas cannot escape to reach the igniter. You can remove the burner top and grate, get the burner assembly with the portholes out, and check the clogs. In this case, you need only to clean those portholes, but do it by picking on each porthole with a toothpick or pin, making sure the hole is cleared but not deformed by your picking, brushing the holes to remove any leftover or residue, and then washing or brushing the burner completely. If this does not do it, get expert repair help already.

Can you adjust the flame setting or flame size? Ideally, you should see your stove's flame as bright blue in color and consistently burning. The blue color is the result of the proper mixture of the gas fuel and the surrounding air that assures you that the fuel is being burned efficiently. If the flame is of a yellowish or whitish color, there may be a problem with how the gas ignition is aerated or how air is mixing with the gas fuel. You not only get sooty pans this way; you also run the risk of gas being overly fed into the burner. To adjust the air and gas mixture to the safest and most efficient level, you can adjust the stove's pilot which is a screw valve located behind the control knobs. With a screwdriver, you can turn and adjust this pilot until you get a bluish flame to indicate you've reached the efficient air-gas mixture level.

Sometimes after cleaning and adjusting the pilot, you still cannot get an instant flame on your burners. You can also check the ignition this time. The spark ignition that is connected to your stove's control knob lights up the mixed gas and air to ignite a flame. The igniter is located either on the left or right side very near the burner. Examine the igniter and check for clogs or severed wire or damaged spark mechanism. Brush it to clean the clogs and reveal any damaged mechanism, which if there are any, can be bought and replaced easily. Some gas stove models use electronic igniters which over time also turn defective due to normal wear or tear. If so, then it may be time to replace the electronic igniter, too. Also, you can check if there is any cut wiring or exposed insulation in your electronic igniter; the module may be grounded and is not working properly.

When you smell gas and trace it to your gas safety valve, check out the valve for integrity as in there are no loose hose clamps or faulty valve gates. If after tightening these clamps and valves there is still a trace of gas odor, take your appliance to a competent repairman.

There may also be times you are pushed to panic levels when your stove emits more smoke than it used to. Before you panic, check your stove first for drip-buildup. Sometimes fat and grease drip and are accumulated on the burners and the burner drip pans. When touched by flame and burned, these drips create much smoke. You can simply remove those drip pans and clean away the drip-down grease, washing and drying those drip pans totally before your next use.

These are just some basic tips on how to repair a gas stove. However, for problems that you cannot accurately pinpoint, it is always best to let the experts handle it. Take your gas stove to the nearest repair shop when in doubt.

Heat Your Home To Perfection With The Right Stove

In winter, there is simply nothing better than escaping the elements by opening up your front door and retreating into a beautifully warm, cozy home. Unfortunately, too many of us haven’t solved our heating problems by the time the first chills of winter set in. In fact, instead of finding retreat in our homes, we come home only to shiver through one winter after another, cursing the cold and counting the days until summer.


If this sounds like your home, perhaps it is time to consider buying a stove to heat your house. Stoves are one of the oldest, and yet most effective ways of heating your home, combining age-old heating properties with the gorgeous ambiance that only a fire can bring.


If you are considering buying a stove for heating, there are a variety of different styles and models to choose from. Indeed, you will be pleasantly surprised by the diversity of stoves on offer. One thing that will not be a surprise however, is their ability to generate heat. That is because, unlike open fires, stoves require less air to burn the fuel, so typically cold drafts are eliminated when a stove is fitted.


Whether you opt for a traditional freestanding model, or more modern “insert” stove that is installed into a space in your wall, you are bound to find a stove that meets your needs.


Amongst some of the things you need to consider when you select your stove are your exact heating requirements, the dimension and space of your home or apartment, and the type of fuel you intend to burn. Some of the fuel options available include both hard and soft woods; materials such peat, compressed paper, straw, or wood waste.


You can also opt for coal or solid fuel. There are multi-fuel stoves on the market that enable you to use different fuels in your stove, however people tend to buy a stove with a particular fuel in mind, with cost and availability being an obvious factor in their decision.


Choosing a stove is easy when you know your heating needs. Once your stove is installed, you can rest assured that next time winter sets in, you will be as warm as toast.

Using A Wood Stove Is A Great Source Of Heat

Checking the authenticity and usability of the wood stoves needs to be checked before making any purchase. Wood stoves were used in ancient America for many household and general purposes. A wood stove is a device, which is normally used in the kitchens for the heating of food, keeping it warm and making it palatable. A wood stove is often used for heating rooms or cooking food. Purchasing a free standing wood stove is a great way for anyone who doesn't want the hassle of building in the stove, this makes it easier if you decide to remove. A pellet-stove is very efficient because the pellets that are used are made from scraps of wood and compressed together.

Many wood stove that insert into the fireplace have fans that can blow the warm air and not the smoke into the rooms, this is a great way of getting more heat into the house. The primary reason for installing a wood stove insert rather than a stand alone stove is to utilize an existing fireplace, however there are additional benefits. A stove insert which is installed into an existing brick or stone fireplace will certainly be more efficient than a stand alone unit located within the room. Using glass doors that covers the front of a fireplace is a great way of stopping the heat from escaping, this reduces the heat from escaping but does not stop it completely.

An outdoor wood burning furnace is most well known for its ability to heat on a low budget. This low-cost heating is often most beneficial to homeowners. Wood heat is a comfortable way of heating your home but it does take some safety knowledge and precautions to do so safely. Heat is something that every home needs; unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to afford.

Buying a certified stove completely reduces the chances of your chimney catching fire. Try to keep the chimney clean, over the years the chimney will accumulate creosote and this can cause a fire if not cleaned frequently. The chimney must be checked for an excess of soot deposited on its inside. The most convenient and preferable location for the installation of the chimney is the center of the house. Every pot belly stove has a chimney that is attached to let the smoke out.

The cost of heating with wood is relatively inexpensive. Many wood stoves come with a lot of accessories but you will need to purchase them because they are not given in the package when the stove is purchased. This adds a personal touch to the customers' wood stove as they can use the leg piece of their choice. Wood stoves come with a nice feature that catches the ashes it is called the ash drawer. Check the manufacturers warranty on all stoves and make sure this is sufficient for your use, many manufactures have a limited warranty period. With its fine design and elegance, a contemporary wood stove is sure to add style and class to any room. Wood stoves were used in ancient America for many household and general purposes.

Buying Tips For Camping Stoves

The vast selection of camping stoves tagged with technical terms a layman wouldn't understand, may be scary for some who are not that experienced when it comes to camping and buying camping stoves. However, purchasing the right camping stove is not as hard as it may seem.

Here are some considerations you should take into account when buying a camping stove. With these information and simple tips, selection and purchase would be much easier

Size

Camping brands like Coleman offer one, two and multiple burner camping stoves. What you should opt for should depend on the volume of cooking you intend to do. If you're solo packing, a camping stove with one or two burner may do but if you intend to go camping with the whole family or plan to have a camping cook feast with a bunch of friends, go for a camping stove that has two or more burners to save time cooking.

Type of Fuel

After deciding which stove size is suitable for your camping needs, the next thing to consider is the type of fuel you'll want to use. Your fuel options include propane, white gas (otherwise known as Coleman fuel), unleaded gas, butane or kerosene. However it is mostly recommended to use either propane or white gas only.

Out of all the camping stoves, those that are fuelled by white gas produce the most heat. It is the more environment-friendly choice for it burns cleanly without any odor or effect on food taste as well as produces less waste.

Many of the Coleman camping stoves that are fuelled with white gas operate on dual fuel system which means that the stove can run either on white gas or unleaded gasoline. However, it is best that you use only white gas unless during cases when you run out of it and can't buy any.

Propane camp stoves on the other hand are simpler and more easy to use, but weigh a lot heavier compared with white gas. But propane Coleman camping stoves are also great choices because of their easiness to operate and ignite, and good performance in warm climates and at low elevations. Most Coleman camping stoves powered with propane fuel even have electronic ignitions to save time and energy.

Type of Camping Activity

Another consideration to make is the type of camping you intend to do during your trip. For example, if you plan to go backpacking, choose a camping stove that is lightweight, has a single burner for this is easier to carry in your load.

But if you intend to go on a family camping trip, a group hike or RV camping, it is more appropriate to opt for three or four burner stoves that would allow you to create a grand fiesta for everyone.

Now, if you're planning to go on a beach camping trip or have a backyard party where you'll probably want to do some grilling on the side, a combination of a stove and grill is the perfect choice for you.

Many camping brands such as Coleman provides you with a wide array of quality camp stoves and background information on its features to make your choice much easier.

Why Are Wood Stoves So Popular?

If you have any aesthetic sensibility at all, then the allure of wood stoves might be hard to resist. Burnished metal and a crackling fire definitely appeal to the senses, and combined with luxurious radiant heat, it's no wonder that many home owners are looking to incorporate stoves in their living areas. However, there's more to the story than romance and atmosphere.

Depending on where you picked up your concept of stoves, the picture you have in your mind's eye may no longer be accurate. For example, remember those black, pot-bellied stoves that were a mainstay of the Western movie and your grandparents' house? Those old-era stoves have gone the way of the American cowboy. They're a thing of the past, and that's actually a good thing.

Contemporary stoves have all the aesthetic appeal of the old models, and then some. A wide array of materials have added new looks to the market. Today's home owners can choose stoves made of pewter, soapstone, welded steel, or porcelain, as well as the traditional black iron.

A variety of textures and designer colors add even more room for personal preference. The stately-looking "antique" designs have made a comeback, but graceful, modern-looking models are also popular. Today's stoves are equally comfortable in a hunting lodge, family room, or urban loft.

But there's more. Not only are today's wood stoves better-looking. They also burn hotter, cleaner, and with more efficiency. Producing almost no smoke and very little wood ash, contemporary stoves consume less wood and they're kind to the environment. Since the early 1990s, the Environmental Protection Agency has overseen the production process, ensuring that new models meet demanding emissions standards.

Today's stoves create a mere trickle of smoke--as little as 2-5 grams per hour. This means that they save you money with fuel economy, increase the air quality, and reduce the risk of fire to practically zero.

As you could probably guess, wood burning stoves now come in sizes and models that are suitable to almost every type of home. (For the purposes of this article, I'm assuming you aren't living in a cardboard box.) So whether you're living in a condo, a three-story house, or a loft space, there are stoves designed to heat your living area. The market may look kind of imposing. But there are a handful of questions that can clarify your needs.

Ask yourself, for example, "What do I want to accomplish? Am I heating one room, a small cottage or an entire house? Will I use my stove in a hot or cold climate, in the summer or winter months?"
With questions like these answered, you're ready to explore further. Are you ready to create some flickering fireside ambiance? Wood stoves have a lot to offer. Best of luck as you decide which stove is right for you.

Comparing Wood Stoves and Pellet Stoves

A wood stove is a device, which is normally used in the kitchens for the heating of food, keeping it warm and making it palatable. Some antique wooden stoves can be used for the purpose of heating and cooking even today. Wood stoves are used for household cooking needs as well as for heating purposes.

One of the purposes of a wood burning stove was to enclose the fire so to generate more heat and make the heating more efficient. A wood stove is often used for heating rooms or cooking food.

They are made up of cast iron and other strong metals and are sturdy enough to handle the amount of heat generated. A stove uses other sources of fuel to burn and make heat, many use wood or pellets. Wood stoves are also used to heat homes apart from their cooking function. Some come with glass panes that can handle the heat but adds a nice touch when you see the flame.

It is important to know what types of fuel your particular type of burning stove can use and what cannot be used safely. When purchasing a pellet stove or a wood burning stove, there are many factors to consider before making the purchase. There are a few things to think about before purchasing and installing a wood burning stove in your home. After calculating the installation space understanding how to keep all the combustible items safe you need to hook up the chimney so the smoke is directed to the outside.

Want something different than carrying in wood, cutting wood and storing it, then try out the new pellet stoves, you can store the pellet easily, there is no cutting, no mess, but it gives you the feel of a wood burning stove. When looking at wood stoves and pellet stoves the pellet stoves are a little more expensive but the plus side is that they come ready to use, they are cleaner and easier to use. This is 20% less efficient than wood pellet or corn stoves. Pellet stoves are very easy to use, you don't need to cut wood all you need to do is open the bag of pellets and poor them in, the auger will move the pellets as needed to be burned. Pellet stoves have a mechanical part that feeds the fire when needed; you do not have to go near the hot flame. You can get the pellets anywhere today, most of the major hardware stores carry the easily to carry bags. Stove are cheaper and you can use them with a cheaper fuel source such as pellets, firewood or any other type of materials.

Antique wood stoves are collector’s items that are very valuable to some people. There are many different types of antique wood stoves available. Today you can find the stoves in local household stores, furniture stores and many stores that sell antiques.

Some of the older wood stoves are considered antiques, and many people use these pieces as decoration purposes only. Many antique pieces from the past are available for sale today in different antique shops and on the Internet.

History of the Biomass Stove

While a fireplace is often set into the framework of the house and is closed off in a way that allows you to see the flames and experience their heat, stoves offer a very different image. The stove image that comes to mind is of an enclosed and usually a raised metal structure that is often mostly closed off. Stoves, like our kitchen stove, can be cooked on, and even a stove that is solely responsible for heating does not usually offer much in the way of attractiveness, although it might be more efficient than a fireplace.

The problem with stoves is that they burn their fuel, which is released into the environment, and that this fuel burning can deplete some of our natural resources. While wood is technically a renewable resource, it is not the only fuel for a stove. Some stoves run on natural gas, and others run on coal, neither of which is immediately renewable. Since these are not the best environmental choices, people interested in creating a healthy alternative worked to develop a better stove.

The better stove that was developed is the biomass stove. These stoves run on natural and highly renewable fuel rather than making use of and depleting less renewable resources. While the biomass stoves still emit carbon because of the fuel that they are burning, they are at least not burning some of the resources that we have come to understand are limited in our world.

The first patent for biomass stoves appeared around 20 years ago, and these stoves were designed to be supplied with wood pellets. Although technically any stove that burns wood is a biomass stove because it burns wood, a biomass fuel, the term “biomass stove” is usually reserved in modern times for the stoves that have been designed to burn wood pellets or other fuel pellets.

Other Fuel Pellets

Wood pellets are no longer the only biomass that can be burned in biomass stoves. Because of the lack of alternative fuel sources, scientists began to experiment with what they already knew. It was realized that wood burning stoves could burn hotter and more efficiently with a special system that allowed them to burn the super-dense compressed wood pellets.

Further innovations have led to the question of what else we can burn for heat and even for an attractive fire. The biomass stoves became a way to replace fireplaces with a more energy efficient and therefore more environmentally healthy alternative. Even better, you may not even need to use an extensive ventilation system (like a chimney) to use a biomass stove; a small vent through the wall and up may do just fine.

Biomass stoves are now designed to burn with fuels other than wood pellets. Stoves have been specifically designed to burn fuel like corn pellets, and even waste that would otherwise be wasted like cherry or olive pits. These units require a calibration, which is usually done for you and can be selected with a simple button, and they are ready to burn your bio fuel of choice.

How Biomass Stoves Work

If you simply drop a handful of wood pellets into a biomass stove and try to light it, you will find that it doesn’t work. Your biomass stove is designed to make special use of energy to blow air through the fire pit in a way that allows the fuel to reach temperatures hot enough to burn. The user fills a special hopper, which feeds the pellets or pits to the fire at a regular interval.

The biomass stove, once lit, provides a great deal of heat to a home, allowing you to achieve much more comfortable warmth with much less fuel, making biomass stoves a more fuel efficient alternative to other heating features in your home. The fuel is highly efficient, which means that the use of the biomass stove lets you save a great deal of money that would otherwise be wasted on firewood, gas, coal, or other energy sources.

Also, because the biomass stoves are beginning to be able to run on even more energy efficient fuels, like highly renewable corn pellets, they are becoming even more positive in their impact on the environment. They save us money that we would otherwise spend on fuel, produce better heat, and put off less pollution than a traditional stove or fireplace does, and still provide us with good looks and a great source of heat.